CHANGE OF CONTROL AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.1
CHANGE OF CONTROL
AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT by and between Vulcan Materials Company, a New Jersey corporation (the “Company”) and Xxxx X. XxXxxxxxx (the “Executive”), dated as of the 7th day of October, 2011.
The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure that the Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined below) of the Company, and to ensure that in the event of the Executive’s termination of employment under circumstances entitling the Executive to the payments and benefits under Section 6(a) of this Agreement, the Executive is prohibited from competing with the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to diminish the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control and to encourage the Executive’s full attention and dedication to the Company currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations of the Executive will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of other corporations. Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the Company to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Certain Definitions.
(a) The “Effective Date” shall mean the first date during the Change of Control Period (as defined in Section 1(b)) on which a Change of Control (as defined in Section 2) occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Change of Control occurs and if the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date on which the Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change of Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the “Effective Date” shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.
(b) The “Change of Control Period” shall mean the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the third anniversary of the date hereof; provided, however, that commencing on the date one year after the date hereof, and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Renewal Date”), unless previously terminated, the Change of Control Period shall be automatically extended so as to terminate three years from such Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company shall give notice to the Executive that the Change of Control Period shall not be so extended.
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2. Change of Control. For the purpose of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” shall mean:
(a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (ii) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (a), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company or (iv) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2; or
(b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or
(c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or
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(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
3. Employment Period. The Company hereby agrees to continue the Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ of the Company subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the second anniversary of such date (the “Employment Period”).
4. Terms of Employment.
(a) Position and Duties.
(i) During the Employment Period, (A) the Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with the most significant of those held, exercised and assigned at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date and (B) the Executive’s services shall be performed at the location where the Executive was employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or any office or location less than 35 miles from such location.
(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executive’s reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities. During the Employment Period it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions and (C) manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of the Executive’s responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that any such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive’s responsibilities to the Company.
(b) Compensation.
(i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall receive an annual base salary (“Annual Base Salary”), which shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least equal to twelve times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base salary which has been earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies in respect of the twelve-month period immediately preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs. During the Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed no more than 12 months after the last salary increase awarded to the Executive prior to the Effective Date and thereafter at least annually. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased. As used in this Agreement, the term “affiliated companies” shall include any company controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company.
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(ii) Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the Executive shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period, an annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”) in cash at least equal to the greater of (A) the average of the Executive’s bonuses under the Company’s Management Incentive Plan, or any comparable bonus under any predecessor or successor plan (the “Bonus Plan”) for the last three full fiscal years prior to the Effective Date and (B) the Executive’s annual bonus under the Bonus Plan, determined based on the target annual bonus percentage and the Annual Base Salary in effect with respect to the Executive immediately prior to the Effective Date for the fiscal year in which the Effective Date occurs (and, in all cases, annualized in the event that the Executive was not employed by the Company for the whole of any such fiscal year) (the “Recent Annual Bonus”). Each such Annual Bonus shall be paid between January 1 and March 15 (inclusive) of the year following the end of the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is awarded.
(iii) Long-Term Incentives. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all long-term incentive plans, practices, policies and programs applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such distinction is applicable), less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for the Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(iv) Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with savings opportunities and retirement benefit opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for the Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
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(v) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, the Executive and/or the Executive’s family, as the case may be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vi) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies. Any reimbursement includable in the Executive’s gross income for federal income tax purposes shall be paid, if at all, by the last day of the Executive’s taxable year next following the Executive’s taxable year in which the related expense is incurred.
(vii) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits, including, without limitation, tax and financial planning services, payment of club dues, and, if applicable, use of an automobile and payment of related expenses, in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(viii) Office and Support Staff. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with furnishings and other appointments, and to personal secretarial and other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as provided generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(ix) Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company and its affiliated companies as in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
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5. Termination of Employment.
(a) Death or Disability. The Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive’s death during the Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to the Executive written notice in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement of its intention to terminate the Executive’s employment. In such event, the Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the “Disability Effective Date”), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive’s duties. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the absence of the Executive from the Executive’s duties with the Company on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness or injury which is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the Executive’s legal representative.
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment during the Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean:
(i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform substantially the Executive’s duties with the Company or one of its affiliates (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board or Chief Executive Officer believes that the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive’s duties, or
(ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company.
For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the Executive, shall be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer or a senior officer of the Company or based upon the advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. The cessation of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
(c) Good Reason. The Executive’s employment may be terminated by the Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean:
(i) A material diminution in the Executive’s Annual Base Salary;
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(ii) A material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities or a material diminution in the authority, duties, or responsibilities of the supervisor to whom the Executive is required to report;
(iii) A material change in the geographic location at which the Executive must perform services, provided that a change in office or location permitted under Section 4(a)(i)(B) shall not be considered material for this purpose;
(iv) A material diminution in the budget over which the Executive retains authority; or
(v) Any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of this Agreement.
(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated (including, in the case of a termination for Good Reason, the condition constituting Good Reason) and (iii) if the date on which the termination will become effective is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more than thirty days after the giving of such notice, except in the case of a termination for Good Reason, notice shall be not more than 90 days before the termination date). The Executive’s employment shall be terminated for Good Reason only if the Executive provides a Notice of Termination to the Company within 90 days of the initial existence of the condition constituting Good Reason and the Company fails to remedy the condition within 30 days of receipt of the Notice of Termination. Except as provided in the preceding sentence with respect to termination for Good Reason, the failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.
(e) Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” means the date on which the Executive incurs a separation from service with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
6. Obligations of the Company upon Termination.
(a) Good Reason; Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability. If, during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive’s employment other than for Cause or Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment for Good Reason:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following amounts:
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A. the sum of (1) the Executive’s Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (2) the product of (x) the higher of (I) the Annual Bonus for the full fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs, determined based on actual individual and corporate performance through the Date of Termination, and (II) the Recent Annual Bonus (provided that this clause (II) shall not apply if a Change in Control does not occur before the payment date for the lump sum payment described in this Section 6(a)(i)) and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365, to the extent not theretofore paid and (3) any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in clauses (1), (2), and (3) shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Accrued Obligations”); and
B. the amount equal to the product of (1) three and (2) the sum of (x) the Executive’s Annual Base Salary, (y) the higher of (I) the Annual Bonus for the full fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs, determined based on actual individual and corporate performance through the Date of Termination and (II) the Recent Annual Bonus; and
C. an amount equal to the additional Company matching and profit sharing contributions that would have been made on the Executive’s behalf in the Company’s 401(k) and Profit Sharing Retirement Plan or any successor plan (the “ Retirement Plan”) (assuming continued participation on the same basis as immediately prior to the Effective Date), plus the additional amount of any benefit the Executive would have accrued under any other excess or supplemental retirement plan in which the Executive participates (together, the “SERP”) as a result of contribution limitations in the Retirement Plan, which the Executive would receive if the Executive’s employment continued for three years after the Date of Termination, assuming for this purpose that the Executive’s compensation in each of the three years is that required by Section 4(b)(i) and Section 4(b)(ii) and that the Company’s matching and profit sharing contributions are determined pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Retirement Plan and the SERP, as in effect during the 12-month period immediately prior to the Effective Date, and that the profit sharing contributions are not less than the contribution percentage in effect for the completed fiscal year immediately prior to the Effective Date.
(ii) for three years after the Executive’s Date of Termination, or such longer period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan, program, practice or policy, the Company shall continue benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive’s family at least equal to those which would have been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and policies described in Section 4(b)(v) of this Agreement if the Executive’s employment had not been terminated or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families, subject to the payment requirements of paragraph (viii), below; provided, however, that if the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under another employer provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during such applicable period of eligibility. For purposes of determining eligibility (but not the time of commencement of benefits) of the Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such plans, practices, programs and policies, the Executive shall be considered to have remained employed until three years after the Date of Termination and to have retired on the last day of such period; and
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(iii) for three years after the Executive’s Date of Termination, or such longer period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan, program, practice or policy, the Company shall continue to provide to the Executive and/or the Executive’s family fringe benefits at least equal to those which would have been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and policies described in Section 4(b)(vii) of this Agreement if the Executive’s employment had not been terminated or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families, subject to the payment requirements of paragraph (viii), below; and
(iv) upon the Date of Termination, the Executive shall have the right and option to purchase the automobile which the Company was providing to the Executive immediately prior to the Date of Termination in accordance with the Company’s practice for retiring employees as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date (provided that, to the extent such option results in a benefit that is includable in the Executive’s gross income for federal income tax purposes, such purchase must occur no later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of the Executive’s taxable year in which the Date of Termination occurs); and
(v) the Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide the Executive with outplacement services the scope and provider of which shall be selected by the Executive in his sole discretion, provided that the aggregate cost of such services shall not exceed $50,000, and provided that (A) such expense shall not be incurred later than the last day of the second taxable year of the Executive following the Date of Termination, (B) any reimbursement for such expenses shall not be paid to the Executive later than the last day of the third taxable year of the Executive following the Date of Termination, and (C) the amount of such expenses shall not exceed the amount of “reasonable outplacement expenses,” as determined under Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(A); and
(vi) amounts credited to the Executive’s account under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan shall be paid in the manner and at the time specified under that plan; and
(vii) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Other Benefits”), subject to the payment requirements of paragraph (viii), below; and
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(viii) to the extent that any coverage, payments, reimbursements or in-kind benefits provided under paragraph (ii), (iii), or (vii) this Section 6(a) would be includable in the Executive’s gross income for federal income tax purposes (such benefits, together, shall be hereinafter referred to as “Specified Benefits”), the following rules shall apply:
A. any Specified Benefit that would otherwise be paid in the first six months following the Date of Termination shall instead be paid in the seventh month following the Date of Termination, except as provided below;
B. the six-month delay in A., above, shall not apply to any Specified Benefit that is required to be paid no later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of the Executive’s taxable year in which the Date of Termination occurs, and, for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, any Specified Benefits required to be paid no later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of the Executive’s taxable year in which the Date of Termination occurs are considered to be separate payments from all other Specified Benefits;
C. the six-month delay in A., above, shall not apply to any Specified Benefits that are (1) reimbursements or in-kind benefits that the Executive could otherwise deduct as business expenses under Sections 162 or 167 of the Code (disregarding limitations based on adjusted gross income) or (2) reimbursements of medical expenses that meet the following requirements: (x) the expenses are incurred and paid by the Executive (or incurred by the Executive and paid by the Company directly to the service provider on the Executive’s behalf); (y) the expenses would be allowable as a deduction to the Executive under Section 213 of the Code (disregarding the requirement that the deduction under that section apply only to expenses that exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income); and (z) the expenses are not reimbursed from a source other than the Company; and
D. the six-month delay in A. above, shall not apply to the extent that any Specified Benefit that (1) is due only upon an involuntary termination (as defined in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(n)), that (2) would otherwise be subject to the delay (after taking into account B and C, above), and that (3) when combined with all other such payments, falls below the amount specified in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A) (generally the lesser of two times the Executive’s average pay or two times the compensation limit in Section 401(a)(17) of the Code).
(b) Death. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s death during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive’s legal representatives under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive’s estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this Section 6(b) shall include, without limitation, and the Executive’s estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive, benefits at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided by the Company and affiliated companies to the estates and beneficiaries of peer executives of the Company and such affiliated companies under such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to death benefits, if any, as in effect with respect to other peer executives and their beneficiaries at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive’s estate and/or the Executive’s beneficiaries, as in effect on the date of the Executive’s death with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their beneficiaries.
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(c) Disability. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s Disability during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits (subject to the six-month delay as described in subsection 6(a)(viii)). Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this Section 6(c) shall include, and the Executive shall be entitled after the Disability Effective Date to receive, disability and other benefits at least equal to the most favorable of those generally provided by the Company and its affiliated companies to disabled executives and/or their families in accordance with such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to disability, if any, as in effect generally with respect to other peer executives and their families at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive and/or the Executive’s family, as in effect at any time thereafter generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families.
(d) Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If the Executive’s employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than the obligation to pay to the Executive (x) his Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination, (y) any amount of any compensation previously deferred by the Executive under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (“EDCP”) (which shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the EDCP), and (z) Other Benefits (subject to the six-month delay as described in subsection 6(a)(viii)), in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid. If the Executive voluntarily terminates employment during the Employment Period, excluding a termination for Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive under this Agreement, other than for Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. In such case, all Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
7. Non-exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit the Executive’s continuing or future participation in any plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its affiliated companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to Section 12(f), shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.
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8. Full Settlement. Except as provided in Section 10(c), in the event of the Executive’s breach of the covenants set forth in Sections 10(a) and 10(b), the Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against the Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment. The Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive or others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of any contest by the Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the applicable Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code. Any reimbursement of legal fees paid to the Executive pursuant to this Section 8 shall be paid no later than the end of the Executive’s taxable year next following the Executive’s taxable year of the Executive in which the related expense is incurred, and, if paid on account of a separation from service, no earlier than the seventh month following the Executive’s separation from service.
9. Limitation on Payments Under Certain Circumstances.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event the Accounting Firm (as defined below) shall determine that receipt of all Payments (as defined below) would subject the Executive to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, the Accounting Firm shall determine whether to reduce any of the Payments paid or payable pursuant to this Agreement (the “Agreement Payments”) so that the Parachute Value (as defined below) of all Payments, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount (as defined below). The Agreement Payments shall be so reduced only if the Accounting Firm determines that the Executive would have a greater Net After-Tax Receipt (as defined below) of aggregate Payments if the Agreement Payments were so reduced. If the Accounting Firm determines that the Executive would not have a greater Net After-Tax Receipt (as defined below) of aggregate Payments if the Agreement Payments were so reduced, the Executive shall receive all Agreement Payments to which the Executive is entitled hereunder.
(b) If the Accounting Firm determines that aggregate Agreement Payments should be reduced so that the Parachute Value of all Payments, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount, the Company shall promptly give the Executive notice to that effect and a copy of the detailed calculation thereof. All determinations made by the Accounting Firm under this Section 9 shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive and shall be made as soon as reasonably practicable and in no event later than 15 days following the Date of Termination. For purposes of reducing the Agreement Payments so that the Parachute Value of all Payments, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount, only amounts payable under this Agreement (and no other Payments) shall be reduced. The reduction of the amounts payable hereunder, if applicable, shall be made by reducing the payments and benefits under the following sections in the following order: (i) cash payments that do not constitute deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, (ii) welfare or in-kind benefits and (iii) cash payments that do constitute deferred compensation, in each case, beginning with payments or benefits that are to be paid the farthest in time from the Accounting Firm’s determination. All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company.
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(c) As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that amounts will have been paid or distributed by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive pursuant to this Agreement which should not have been so paid or distributed (“Overpayment”) or that additional amounts which will have not been paid or distributed by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive pursuant to this Agreement could have been so paid or distributed (“Underpayment”), in each case, consistent with the calculation of the Safe Harbor Amount hereunder. In the event that the Accounting Firm, based upon the assertion of a deficiency by the Internal Revenue Service against either the Company or the Executive which the Accounting Firm believes has a high probability of success, determines that an Overpayment has been made, the Executive shall pay promptly (and in no event later than 60 days following the date on which the Overpayment is determined) any such Overpayment to the Company together with interest at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code; provided, however, that no amount shall be payable by the Executive to the Company if and to the extent such payment would not either reduce the amount on which the Executive is subject to tax under Section 1 and Section 4999 of the Code or generate a refund of such taxes. In the event that the Accounting Firm, based upon controlling precedent or substantial authority, determines that an Underpayment has occurred, any such Underpayment shall be paid promptly (and in no event later than 60 days following the date on which the Underpayment is determined) by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive together with interest at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2) of the Code.
(d) To the extent requested by the Executive, the Company shall cooperate with the Executive in good faith in valuing, and the Accounting Firm shall take into account the value of, services provided or to be provided by the Executive (including without limitation, the Executive’s agreeing to refrain from performing services pursuant to a covenant not to compete or similar covenant, including that set forth in Section 10 of this Agreement before, on or after the date of a change in ownership or control of the Company (within the meaning of Q&A-2(b) of the final regulations under Section 280G of the Code), such that payments in respect of such services may be considered reasonable compensation within the meaning of Q&A-9 and Q&A-40 to Q&A-44 of the final regulations under Section 280G of the Code and/or exempt from the definition of the term “parachute payment” within the meaning of Q&A-2(a) of the final regulations under Section 280G of the Code in accordance with Q&A-5(a) of the final regulations under Section 280G of the Code.
(e) Definitions. The following terms shall have the following meanings for purposes of this Section 9.
(i) “Accounting Firm” shall mean a nationally recognized certified public accounting firm that is selected by the Company for purposes of making the applicable determinations hereunder and is reasonably acceptable to the Executive, which firm shall not, without the Executive’s consent, be a firm serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control.
(ii) “Net After-Tax Receipt” shall mean the present value (as determined in accordance with Sections 280G(b)(2)(A)(ii) and 280G(d)(4) of the Code) of a Payment net of all taxes imposed on the Executive with respect thereto under Sections 1 and 4999 of the Code and under applicable state and local laws, determined by applying the highest marginal rate under Section 1 of the Code and under state and local laws which applied to the Executive’s taxable income for the immediately preceding taxable year, or such other rate(s) as the Accounting Firm determined to be likely to apply to the Executive in the relevant tax year(s).
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(iii) “Parachute Value” of a Payment shall mean the present value as of the date of the change of control for purposes of Section 280G of the Code of the portion of such Payment that constitutes a “parachute payment” under Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, as determined by the Accounting Firm for purposes of determining whether and to what extent the Excise Tax will apply to such Payment.
(iv) “Payment” shall mean any payment or distribution in the nature of compensation (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise.
(v) “Safe Harbor Amount” shall mean 2.99 times the Executive’s “base amount,” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code.
10. Restrictive Covenants.
(a) Confidential Information. The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of its affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by the Executive during the Executive’s employment by the Company or any of its affiliated companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation of this Agreement). After termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those designated by it.
(b) Noncompetition. The Executive agrees that, during the three year period following his Date of Termination under circumstances entitling the Executive to the payments and benefits under Section 6(a) of this Agreement (the “Restricted Period”), he will not engage in Competition (as defined below). The Executive shall be deemed to be engaging in “Competition” if he, directly or indirectly, anywhere in the continental United States, Mexico, the Bahamas or any other location in which the Company is engaged in business or has taken substantial steps toward the development of business at the time of the Executive’s termination, owns, manages, operates, controls or participates in the ownership, management, operation or control of or is connected as an officer, employee, partner, director, consultant or otherwise with, or has any financial interest in, any business (whether through a corporation or other entity) engaged in the construction materials businesses, including the production of aggregates, sand and gravel, ready-mix concrete, asphalt, and other construction material related items manufactured by the Company. Ownership for personal investment purposes only of less than 2% of the voting stock of any publicly held corporation shall not constitute a violation hereof.
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(c) Remedies. The Executive acknowledges that the Company would be irreparably injured by a violation of Section 10(a) or (b), and he agrees that the Company, in addition to any other remedies available to it for such breach or threatened breach, on meeting the standards required by law, shall be entitled to a preliminary injunction, temporary restraining order, or other equivalent relief, restraining the Executive from any actual or threatened breach of Section 10(a) or (b). If a bond is required to be posted in order for the Company to secure an injunction or other equitable remedy, the parties agree that said bond need not be more than a nominal sum. In addition, the Executive acknowledges that his rights to the protections and payments and benefits under this Agreement are conditioned upon the Executive’s agreement to the restrictions set forth in the Section 10 and continued compliance therewith, and in the event the Executive breaches the terms of Section 10(a) or (b) of this Agreement, in addition to all other available remedies, all payments and benefits provided under Section 6 (a) (other than the Accrued Obligations and the Other Benefits) shall, to the extent paid, be subject to a right of reclamation by the Company or, to the extent unpaid, forfeiture by the Executive.
(d) Governing Law; Severability; Blue Pencil. The validity and enforcement of the covenants set forth in this Section 10 shall be governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that he has had the opportunity to seek advice of counsel in connection with the Agreement and the restrictive covenants contained herein are reasonable in geographical scope, temporal duration, and in all other respects. If it is determined that any provision of this Section 10 is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the provisions of this Section 10 shall not thereby be affected and shall be given full effect, without regard to the invalid portions. If any court or other decision-maker of competent jurisdiction determines that any of the covenants in this Section 10 is unenforceable because of the duration or geographic scope of such provision, then after such determination becomes final and unappealable, the duration or scope of such provision, as the case may be, shall be reduced so that such provision becomes enforceable, and in its reduced form, such provision shall be enforced.
11. Successors.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
12. Miscellaneous.
(a) Except as provided in Section 10(d), this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.
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(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Executive:
The most recent address on file at the Company
If to the Company:
Vulcan Materials Company
X.X. Xxx 000000
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: General Counsel
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executive’s or the Company’s failure to insist upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(c)(i) (v) of this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.
(f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as may otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between the Executive and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is “at will” and, subject to Section 1(a) hereof, prior to the Effective Date, the Executive’s employment and/or this Agreement may be terminated by either the Executive or the Company at any time prior to the Effective Date, in which case the Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement; provided, that this Agreement may not be terminated by the Company if it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such termination (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change of Control. From and after the Effective Date this Agreement shall supersede any other agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive’s hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.
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/s/ Xxxx X. XxXxxxxxx
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VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY
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By:
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/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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